Sneaky sneaky.
Shhh.
Don’t trip.
Step left, the right will creak.
How did you ever live without us? Hahaha!
Hush… Let her think.
Time slipped by without notice as she walked away from the bed she had slept in with her strength threatening to fail her. The hall ended in a room with couches separated by a rug that held the coffee table sitting between the two. Shelves full of knowledge lined the right wall while the left held a long shelf more akin to a table that carried her possessions.
A dark cloak lined with fur - cleaner than it had ever been since its creation - and a flicker of a smile found her while her fingers pressed into its large hood that she could lose herself in.
A smile?
A smile!
Heh, how long will it last this time?
Enjoy it.
Hold it close.
Don’t forget the rest.
She carefully took it, pulling it around her shoulders before snapping its straps into place across her chest. Her fingers - whose nails were too short from anxiety and work - gingerly gripped the cloak's edges, guiding it to embrace her with its inviting warmth.
Soft.
So soft.
Where did you get it, Reena?
Whose was it?
Keep it close.
She loves it.
A soft sigh escaped her as she reveled in the familiar comfort as it should be - dry, warm, and not reeking of horrible decisions. After a moment her eyes drifted to her other possessions. An old sword that’s never failed her father, her brother nor her, rested within its sheath that was fixed to a belt. Tied to the ring of its pommel was the vibrant blue ribbon her mother always used to tie back her own hair with.
Distant memories.
Attempts to hold on to the ripped away past.
Struggling to remember.
Her heart is hurting.
Her sorrow remembers its place.
Oh well… At least the cloak worked for a moment.
She carefully pulled the belt on so the sword could reclaim its throne upon her left hip. A leather pouch was all that remained on the counter, and she fixed it to her right hip before checking its contents. Inside was a little booklet, bound in leather with a small blade - no longer than her hand - tucked away in its pages to serve as a bookmark. Beneath the booklet were gold coins, along with flint and steel, and a small leather pouch full of resin. Once her items were secured, her eyes traveled the room once more before resting on the door.
What are you waiting for?
Open it, Reena.
It’s the way out.
What if it’s a trap?
What if it’s everything we want?
What do we want?
A deep breath filled her still aching lungs before she took the handle, twisting it and pulling open the door.
Stairs?
Stairs.
Don’t slip.
So utterly boring.
The old man is down there.
Reena. Keep moving.
Slowly she made her way down the stairs. The wooden floor creaked under her weight as she forfeited the last step. The old mahogany floorboards were wide and worn. Squared stones built the walls with wooden beams supporting and warming their corners as they mimic the floor in color. Cherrywood counters reached from the wall towards the stairs with an inviting warmth. Shelves carrying unique glass jars held various dried leaves against the wall behind the counters. Slumbering beneath were five old aberrant stoves that warmed each other’s sides, every burner crowned with a unique teapot. Before the counters stood vailent, brown leathered stools, whose tops had been cracked and worn by years of use.
“Why don’t you take a seat?” Ikko’s voice echoed, and her eyes darted to find him near the front door that held a bell over it.
Don’t do it.
Run away.
It’s a trap!
He’s locked the front door.
You can’t escape.
Accept your fate.
Fear barked at the back of her mind as she tried to shake the feeling it roused.
There was no reason for distrust. She could feel his warmth and see the concern in his eyes for her. He opened his home, and brought her back into the light. She wanted to stay for the hope of something wonderful.
There was no reason for trust. She had been tricked before with false smiles and believable lies. She wanted to run away from whatever horror might find her.
She found herself taking a timid step towards the stools, while Ikko made his way behind the counter.
What are you doing? The door is the other way.
Don’t sit down.
It’s a trap.
Strange magic resides here.
Reena! Stop!
Shhh… Quiet… Others can hear us...
A surreal sense of calm seemed to rise through her feet and body as she sat upon the stool, making her eyes widen for a moment. No voice spoke above a faint whisper in her head. Silence was not there, but it was the closest she had been since they had arrived.
“More jasmine?” he questioned as her eyes slowly found him. “I’ve always been rather fond of it myself! But when it’s paired with honey and lemon… well it’s just great!” his words were more genuine than most she had ever heard. “I hope you enjoyed those crackers. I know they weren’t much, but we don’t want to shock your system after all.” he hummed as he placed a cup of tea in front of her with steam whispering towards her nose. “It’s the same as I gave you before.” he smiled softly, “Would you like me to demonstrate its safety again?” he offered before her hands carefully wrapped around the cup. “Are you planning to leave already though?” he questioned, but was only met with silence as she stared at her tea.
Leave? Yes.
Can’t stay.
We don’t like this magic.
You feel different.
Far away.
But close enough to touch…
Her eyes slowly lifted from her cup as a chill ran down her spine. The voices had always come from directions and distances, but something felt different. She felt as though she were being watched. Her hesitant gaze drifted around the room before her eyes widened, and she froze.
Can she see us?
She’s looking directly at me!
Get off the chair!
This isn’t right!
Turn back, Reena!
She’s too weak!
“Hush.” Ikko growled, and the voices fell to whispers, asking countless questions of him while she stared at one of the voices.
A being of dull light, shaped as a woman - like all of the voices that whispered to her - sat upon the counter with her legs folded, leaning over her lap as her knee supported her elbow and her hand held her chin. Another laid on the floor without any care. Another paced while fidgeting, scratching at her arms with her head on a swivel. The shop was filled with them in various places, doing various things, but all of them whispered.
“You have quite the uh… following.” Ikko gave a sympathetic smile. “But Reena… In the sea of voices, don’t forget your own. You haven’t said a thing since you woke up.” he gently reminded her.
Hope flickered in her heart. He noticed. Someone cared enough to say something.
Fear crushed her as she questioned if he knew what she was, and she stole herself for the true colors that always showed.
“I have a friend that struggles like you.” Ikko hummed with a fond smile, “He has voices that are much more violent than yours, and he never fails to be the hero even though he doesn’t see it himself.”
Hero? Tch. You are useless.
Who is this friend?
Voices?
Hush…. He will yell again.
Remember your last hero? Hehehe
Reena… Tread carefully.
“Frequently he comes to offer kind words to those I help.” Ikko added while eyeing the beings, and they quickly quieted themselves to faint whispers.
“Can-...” she stopped at the weakness in her voice, and he looked to her with surprise flickering in his eyes. “Can I… just sit here for a while?”
“Of course, Reena.” Ikko smiled softly, “Take your time, and enjoy the tea. I will manage what I can of your voices.” he assured her as she nodded, and anxiety swirled through her as the voices whispered questions of what that would entail.
Slowly she sipped her tea, looking to nothing but the counter as she took this chance to dismiss the world around her for once. With the whispers so quiet she could ignore them, with the shelter of the shop she did not fear for her life, with the warmth of the tea she did not fear the cold, and Ikko supplied her with another serving of crackers to sate the fear of starvation.
What are you doing?
Not right, not right, not right, not right, not right!
This isn’t right.
Shhhhh!
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